S7812 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 5, 2015 new leadership in Washington that will Lastly, I appreciate having the op- the heavy initial list. The cooperation of the restore American strength and keep portunity to provide my remarks about FRANKLIN was complete, and made bring- the American people safe. the USS Pittsburgh and its crew’s ing her to safety possible. unique and extraordinary contribu- The SANTA FE went alongside the f FRANKLIN, transferred personnel, and as- tions to our Nation’s history in World RECOGNIZING THE USS sisted in line handling while ammunition War II. It is an honor to serve in the ‘‘PITTSBURGH’’ was exploding and fires were raging. The de- U.S. Senate on behalf of the great city stroyer MILLER (DE535), likewise, repeat- Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. President, I wish for which this was named and edly and with great courage went alongside to honor the skilled, brave, and deter- represent those veterans who served the FRANKLIN and under her stern to put mined sailors who served aboard the aboard her. down fires and cool her bulkhead with water. USS Pittsburgh. There being no objection, the mate- f The third of four naval vessels named rial was ordered to be printed in the ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS after the Steel City, the USS Pittsburgh RECORD, as follows: was a Baltimore-class On the morning of 19 March, 1945, while a that served 6 months in the Pacific part of Fast Carrier Task Group 58.2, the TRIBUTE TO PETE GARDZINA theatre during World War II. In that U.S.S. PITTSBURGH was ordered by Com- short time, the cruiser earned two bat- mander Cruiser Division TEN to ‘‘Proceed to ∑ Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I wish to tle stars. However, her greatest accom- FRANKLIN and render all possible assist- recognize Pete Gardzina. Pete is the plishment was assisting in the rescue ance’’. transition assistance adviser for the of the crew of a disabled ship in enemy The PITTSBURGH cleared the formation Montana National Guard and an honor- and proceeded at 30 knots to the vicinity of waters. able representation of the passion and the burning carrier FRANKLIN, which had service we honor in Montana. In March 1945, Japanese bombers been severely damaged, both by a Japanese began an air raid on a task force as- bomb and by the following internal explo- Pete aids in the readjustment of our signed to the U.S. 5th Fleet. This at- sions and fires which were still raging. veterans after they return from their tack severely damaged the aircraft car- After picking up 34 of her men from the deployment. This form of outreach not rier USS Franklin and set it ablaze. The water during the approach, the carrier was only touches the lives of Montana’s USS Franklin lost 725 crew members, taken in tow at 1402, 19 March, in position service men and women, but the fami- ° ′ ° with another 264 injured in the bomb- Latitude 30 –10 N., Longitude 133 –50, E., 57 lies they are returning to. He works miles southeast of the southern tip of ing, and it was left stranded in the alongside the Veterans’ Affairs Com- Shikoku, Japan; and towed for 221⁄2 hours water just 50 miles from the Japanese away from the coast of Japan in southwest, mittee and community organizations coast. The USS Pittsburgh quickly southeasterly and south directions, a dis- to build a network of support for re- came to the rescue, saving 34 men from tance of approximately 120 miles, until the turned veterans. This network offers the water. Along with another ship, a FRANKLIN could proceed under her own continued support for those who fought light cruiser, the USS Santa Fe, the power. for us and the freedoms we take for USS Pittsburgh was able to tow the car- At the commencement of the towing oper- granted every day. ation the FRANKLIN had a list to starboard Pete has helped improve the lives of rier to safety while fighting off enemy ° of about 15 ; had no power, or steering con- multiple veterans by ensuring that, attacks. trol, and her rudder was jammed right 3°. The crew of the USS Franklin was The list of the carrier away from the wind, when they return, they are well taken highly decorated for their bravery dur- which was blowing from an easterly direc- care of, are quickly connected to the ing the fight, but the crew of the USS tion, caused her to sail up into the wind, right people, and are supported Pittsburgh has never received any hon- making towing on southerly courses most throughout their adjustment back into ors for their bravery. Today I rise to difficult and prohibiting steering a given civilian life. recognize and honor the crew of the course away from Japan for any continuous I am so grateful to have someone in USS Pittsburgh for their heroism and length of time. our community with such passion for At 1550 our speed by pitometer log was 61⁄4 serving Montana’s servicemembers and bravery displayed rendering aid and as- knots, however speed varied from 11⁄2 knots sistance to the USS Franklin on March to 8 knots. veterans. On behalf of the many vet- 19, 1945. At about 2300 the FRANKLIN’s starboard erans Pete has helped and their fami- Along with this heroic action, the list was corrected and became about 5° to lies, it is my honor to recognize his USS Pittsburgh faced another big fight port. With the change in list to port, the sail service. I am truly grateful to have against a different kind of enemy: area of the carrier was reduced and it was someone in Montana fighting for those ° Mother Nature. On June 5, 1945, the possible to keep a steady course of 155 (T) who fought for us.∑ and maintain a fairly constant speed be- ship encountered a typhoon and suf- tween 6 and 7 knots. f fered extensive damage, including loss At 0245, 20 March, the FRANKLIN began to TRIBUTE TO GRADY TARBUTTON of its bow, but was kept afloat because turn over her engines, and by 0400 she was of her skilled crewmembers’ damage making turns for 4.5 knots, and we were ∑ Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I control efforts. The USS Pittsburgh’s making 7.5 knots through the water. wish to congratulate Grady Tarbutton maneuvered the boat entirely At 0930, tha FRANKLIN gained steering on his retirement after over 8 years of by cleverly manipulating the ship’s en- control, and towing speed was gradually in- service to Washoe County Senior Serv- gines until the storm subsided, return- creased to 13.7 knots with the FRANKLIN ices. It gives me great pleasure to rec- engines assisting. ing to a few days later. At 1233, in position 160 miles from Shikoku ognize his years of hard work and dedi- I would especially like to recognize (Latitude 30°–14′.5 N., Longitude 134°–23′.2 E.) cation to this important community in three veterans of the USS Pittsburgh the tow was cast off and the FRANKLIN pro- northern Nevada. who are still living in southwestern ceeded under her own power. Mr. Tarbutton first began his career Pennsylvania. Their names are: Robert The PITTSBURGH assisted in repelling working to aid seniors at the Wash- McKnight, seaman 1st class, of Con- two air attacks during the towing operation. ington County Department of Dis- nellsville, Fayette County; George The first attack occurred while in process of ability, Aging, and Veterans’ Services passing the tow wire, and the second attack in Oregon, as the senior program coor- Jock, seamen 1st class, of Somerset, after the carrier had been taken in tow. Nei- Somerset County; and Paul Gaudi, sea- ther attack was successful, and two Japanese dinator. In 2005, he moved to Portland, man 1st class, of Jeanette, Westmore- planes were shot down by Combat Air Patrol. OR, and served as the community serv- land County. The FRANKLIN is of about 27,000 tons dis- ices manager for Multnomah County I thank them and their fellow USS placement, and so far as I know this is the Aging and Disability Services. He Pittsburgh crew members for their val- first large carrier to be towed any from the began his tenure as director for Washoe iant heroism and service to our coun- scene of action to safety. County Senior Services in November of try. I ask unanimous consent that the No damage was suffered by this vessel dur- 2007, sacrificing countless hours to ing the towing operation. additional information that was ob- Sufficient praise cannot be given the com- build the department and offer an tained with the help of the Congres- manding officer of the FRANKLIN and his array of key resources to our senior sional Research Service and National heroic rescue crew, who, in spite of all odds, community. His commitment to our Archives be printed in the RECORD. fought fires, repaired machinery and righted seniors stands as a shining example of

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